Billy Enters The MTC

Billy entered the Missionary Training Center (MTC) on July 30, 2008.  He has finally begun his mission!  Billy will be in the MTC for three weeks before departing to India.  As I am sure you can tell from the pictures, mom had a difficult time saying goodbye.   We know he is going to be a wonderful missionary and we are so excited for him!  His address is listed on the right hand side of his blog so be sure to write him if you get a minute!

Billy asked me--his amazing older sister--to take over his blog and keep it updated while he is on his mission.  He promised that he would write often and send pictures whenever possible so that I can keep it current for friends and family.  Please remember to check back for the latest in Billy news! 

Final Farewell... Love Elder Nixon

Well I am now officially Elder Nixon. My Stake President (My loving Dad) set me apart right after my wonderful open house at my Grandparents house. My Mother and Grandmother sure know how to host a wonderful party. It was wonderful to see all of the people I care about in Utah come to the open house tonight, I don't think I could have asked for it to go any better. It feels really overwhelming because I am the first grandson to go on a mission out of the United States and it is very exciting. I am very close to most of my Aunts and Uncles and it was sad to say goodbye knowing I would not see them for two years. I am really going to miss my family। However, I would not trade the opportunity to go on a mission for anything। I cant wait to spread the Gospel to the people of India (I hope the recent bombings in India do not effect my mission)! I know that the Church is true and Heavenly Father needs me in India.

A day of goodbyes and “Farewell(s)”

When I opened up my calling a couple of months ago I was so excited about it I felt like ready to leave the next day. Well, the day of departure seems to be coming faster than I can handle.
Yesterday I had the wonderful opportunity to speak in my home ward. I feel bad because I monopolized the meeting and spoke a little long. My talk was mostly about missionary work and how I have prepared to serve.   After my talk my sister played a special musical number on the saxophone, and we had the opportunity to hear from the mission President and his wife as well as my dad.

Following the meeting, my mother prepared a fantastic open house in my honor. Everyone that knows my mom probably has already assumed that the open house was amazing. Mother decided to go all out and have a wonderful Indian buffet. I of course was excited because I enjoy eating Indian food, but I am sure that after two years of it I will be ready for a good American hamburger and fries.  I would love to say that the hundred plus people that attended the open house were there just to see me, but I have feeling that when ever people hear that my mom is throwing a party they come running, and to top it off my sister made an 

amazing three layer Indian looking cake with an elephant on top.  I hate to admit it but I am one lucky Elder, because I have a wonderful family that supports me.

While the open house was wonderful because I had the opportunity to say goodbye individually to all my friends and family it was very emotional. Although I am very excited to serve the Lord, it is very weird to think I am going to be putting my life on hold for the next two years.  It is hard to think that I am going two years without the blessing of football on television and playing lacrosse. However, I cannot express in words how much love I have for my Savior and the gospel. I know that when I put the Lord first everything works out.

Show Time

My family and I had the opportunity to attend the Lion King at the Kennedy Center. It was amazing, and I will even admit I thought about crying. (But I didn’t)
I have heard many people express their feelings toward the performance prior to my viewing. So I went in with high expectations. Well it was more amazing than I had ever dreamed. From the very beginning to the very end I thought I had died and arrived in Musical Heaven.

THANKS MOM AND DAD!!!

The Move... and Addiction!

Hello everyone, my name is Billy Nixon and I am a addict... a Twilight addict. I know it is very sad, I didn't even see it coming. I wanted to be a nice brother and went up to Syracuse, New York to help my sister Brittany and her husband pack up their house and move down to Virginia. Well there was some down time and the television was packed, so in my boredom I decided to go to Borders to pick up a book. I read the first chapter and was addicted!  Twilight's addictive power is worse than even the hardest of drugs. I am embarrassed to say I finished the first two books in a matter of days and am working on the third as we speak. 

Now about the move, It was really fun spending time with Brittany and Ben. We packed all week and our goal was to load the truck by Friday and be down in D.C. by Saturday. Well we began packing the truck at 9AM on Friday and finished at 9AM Saturday. Yes, we pulled the quintessential "all-nighter" reminiscent of many my freshman year of college.

The drive down was a journey in its own. We had a very special truck... the "little engine that could" if you will. 

I know everyone knows the story of The Little Engine that Could. Well this truck gave that story a whole new meaning. All three of us wondered numerous times if our truck was going to make it as it would only drive at 30 mph uphill. Well it did eventually make it, but I am sad to say I never want to be with a truck like that again. 

Overall the trip was really fun. I am glad I had the chance to help out Brittany and Ben. But most of all, I am happy I had the chance to read.

I would be remiss not to mention the opportunity I had to go see the Hill Cumorah pageant on Friday night before we left town.  It was amazing, and worth the lack of sleep and speeding ticket my brother-in-law got because of it.